world missions connection vol 2 issue 3

8/22/2019 World Missions Connection Vol 2 Issue 3

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On June 47, 2013, a historic congress took place in Cancun,Mexico. Every three years Latin America holds a missionscongress, and this time (as in Buenos Aires in 2007) it wascombined with the World Assemblies of God Fellowship WorldMissions Congress.

In 2007, 48 countries were represented, and it was a great joy tohave 60 countries represented in Cancun. Missions leadersattended from all continents and regions of the globe. Russia,Japan, Indonesia, Fiji, and the Philippines sent some of those

who traveled the longest distances to arrive at the historic gathering.

The congress was translated from the pulpit into Spanish and English, but five otherlanguages were also being translated at the event: Japanese, Russian, French, Portuguese, andKorean.

The services were marked with the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the times at the altar werespecial, as has been the case in the previous congresses. It is always our prayer before eachevent that the Holy Spirit would make a deep impact on each attendee, since His guidance isthe ultimate purpose for the work and effort to put on a event.

There were 1125 delegates in attendance: 460 from Mexico and 665 from 60 other countries.Part of the reason this congress was opened up to the world was the facilities of the CancunConvention Center, which were excellent for a world event. Cancun is a tourist-friendly city,with English more common than in other parts of Latin America, and the ability to usemultiple currencies there also made it an ideal setting.

Our next world congress is planned for February 46, 2015, in Bangkok, Thailand. Followingthat meeting, we will go most likely to a three-year cycle. The Thailand congress date wasplanned about the same time as the decision to open up the Latin congress to the world.Thailand is also an ideal setting for a world event because of location and airfares, and thestrong tourism industry means few countries need a visa to enter. With 83 countries nowhaving a missions-sending structure of some kind, we have a vision to have 100 countriesrepresented in Bangkok.

Dont miss the next World Missions Congressplease put the dates on your calendar now.But since many of you could not attend the one in Cancun, we wanted to share with you thetestimonies of world leaders to get a feel of what took place during those historic days. Pleaseenjoy the interviews of some of the speakers and testimonies of some of the delegates.

CHAIRMANBrad Walz

LEAD TEAMArto Hmlinen

Michael DissanayekeAlan Johnson

COMMISSION

Lazarus ChakweraEnson LweysaSco HansonRon Maddux

A.R. HashmatEd Nye

Mark RenfroeDikran Salbashian

Connie HuerNorm Edwards

David MohanMike Waldner

Michael DissanayekeHariagus Rimba

Russ Turney

Rey CalusayBill Snider

Joseph SuicoMurray Cornelius

Lisandro BojorquezDaniel Pelozo

Anisio NascimientoSamuel Rodriguez

Jim SabellaPeter Kuzmic

Arto Hmlinen

Gheorge RisanAlun Davies

Pita CiliAlan Johnson

Mark HausfeldDelonn Rance

World Missions ConnectionMissions CommissionMissions CommissionMissions CommissionWorld Assemblies of God FellowshipWorld Assemblies of God FellowshipWorld Assemblies of God Fellowship

The Acts OneThe Acts OneThe Acts One---Eight ProjectEight ProjectEight Project

August 2013 Volume 2, Issue 3

Cancun, Mexico3rd World Missions Congress


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Interview With an Anonymous SpeakerLeader of the work in a sensive country shares his thoughts.It was truly encouraging to be at the Cancun meetings. I experienced a strong growing desire inthe Latin American churches for missions.

It was great to have you as a speaker for the World Missions Congress. What were your

overall impressions of the event?My overall impression was the deep spiritual quality and impact in each session. The personalresponse from the participants was very spiritually charged.

What were some of the challenges you brought to people in your presentations?My main challenge was not only to reach the unreached Muslims but to place a great emphasis on what the Third Worldnations can do for missions. We encouraged people to pray, proclaim, and persevere by faith.

What were some of the challenges you received by listening to other speakers and services?Every session was spiritually charged. I was encouraged in missions and challenged to send more missionaries from mynation.

It was great to have 60 countries represented in the congress. What are some of your expectations for the nextevent in Bangkok?I expect more leaders will join us. I am hoping that we will hear testimonies of growth after the Cancun meetings, thatmany Asian nations will be able to join us, and that the Asian church will be challenged to send missionaries.

Your church has been participating in missions, has a missions convention, and shares missions vision. Whatwould your desires be for the Assemblies of God of Bangladesh with regard to missions vision and structures?We have already formed a national missions department to mobilize prayer support for missions, which will lead to sendingmissionaries through the national missions department. We are already sending missionaries through our local churches,but my prayer is that several smaller churches will join hands together to be involved in sending.

Any other final thoughts or comments?Let us keep the spiritual fervor alive in our future conferences. We must allow the Spirit to move and work in the lives of

the participants. We also need to interact and follow up with those who attended Cancun through direct contact with theparticipants.

Interview with Daniel CostanzaExecuve Director, Pentecostal European FellowshipTell us what you shared in your plenary session at the congress.I shared about the spiritual state of Europe and what Pentecostals (as the PEF) are doing to poolresources and work in synergy towards the reevangelization of Europe. In particular, I presentedthe Pentecostal European Missions 2020 strategy, which aims at increasing our number ofmissionaries in the world while reaching the unreached in Europe.

What was your overall impression of the congress?It was well organized and offered a balanced program covering the different needs in the world.There was a powerful and refreshing atmosphere of prayer and intercession.

What session or message impacted you as an attendee?I was greatly inspired and touched by the message and testimony of the brother from Bangladesh [Kain].

What impact do you think the Cancun Congress will have on the World Assemblies of God and its missions vision?I think it will enhance the vision for a global and concrete cooperation in world missions.


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Interview With Ivan MasalykaArgenne Missionary to Germany

Tell us what you shared in your plenary session at the congress.My topic was The Challenge of Crossing Transcultural Barriers, a quite theoretical part ofmissiology, but enriched with personal experiences. The feedback of many listeners was positive,especially concerning the emphasis on missionaries learning a different language. That may be

the strongest cultural barrier in the first year on the field for missionaries, but it is absolutelynecessary for fulfilling the gospels mission.

What was your overall impression with the congress?It was very inspiring and challenging for me. The urgent need to reach the unreached peoples of the world wascommunicated clearly and with a holy desperation. It was also interesting for the Latin American attendees (the biggestgroup) to hear about the need in Asia, the Muslim world, and Europe. A lot of updated and current information fromthose countries was shared.

What session or message impacted you as an attendee?I was really touched by God through the last message of Brother Brogden (willing to die for Jesus) and also the sessions ofBrother Ritisan from Romania. The situation there has inspired me for my ministry in Europe.

What impact do you think the congress will have on the World Assemblies of God and its missions vision?I hope a big one, and especially that even more churches will become senders regardless of their financial capacities andtheir size. Missions is possible!

Any other comments or reflections you would like to make?The whole organization and logistics were excellent! It was a high-level event. Thank you for all your efforts, Brad! You dida super job!

Interview with Daniel PedrazaArgenne Missionary to Latvia

What did you share in your plenary session at the congress?My theme was The Commitment of the Sent. I spoke about ourcommitment with our call, with the vision given by God and withservice. We also shared a plenary with Ivan Masalyka, where wespoke about the family in the mission field.

What was your overall impression with the congress?First, it was very well organized. Second, it was relevant because of the topics and themes that were addressed in all thesessions and plenaries. Third, the location (city, hotels, and convention center) was a wonderful choice.

What session or message impacted you as an attendee?

I personally was touched and encouraged by Greg Mundiss messages. I also liked David Costanzas presentation about theneed and the opportunities in Europe.

What impact do you think the congress will have on the World Assemblies of God and its missions vision?There were many missions leaders present. I hope it will serve as an inspiration to reach new goals related to the amount ofmissionaries sent to the world from their own countries; I know this was one of the main goals of the congress, and I reallyhope it serves its purpose. Personally, I was very encouraged to keep trying to affect the Baltic countries with this vision.May God help us.

Any other comments or reflections you would like to make?We are very thankful to the commission that organized the event. Thank you for letting us be part of it.


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Tell us a little about what you shared in your plenary session atthe congress.In our first plenary session our team-presented and shared on

surrender. Fidel (from the Philippines) shared on surrendering yourpride. Milward (from Malawi) shared on surrendering fear of failure.Alberto (from Paraguay) shared on surrendering possessions. Maajid(from Sudan) shared on surrendering your children. I closed bysharing on surrendering your brothersbeing willing to send lovedones into harms way for the gospel.

What session or message impacted you as an attendee?My favorite session was Asa Kains. I was impacted by his call for thefirst daily voice heard over a Muslim city to be that of the believersdeclaring, JESUS IS LORD!

What impact do you think the Cancun congress will have onthe World Assemblies of God and its missions vision?I think it will help link missionaries from the Global South with thosefrom the Global North in the Arab world and open a door for many(especially Latinos) to come.

Interview With Dick BrogdenMissionary to Africa

A powerful me of prayer

Dick Brogden and DeLonn Rance (interpreter)

Interview With Arto HmlinenChairman of PEF, PEM, and the PWF World Missions CommissionWhat was your overall impression of the congress?The event was really inspiring in several aspects. Having so many countries involved tells usabout the growing missions vision among the WAGF member churches. One good thing wasthat many practical tools were offered to the mission leaders and departments. Those who hadnot yet started or are just in the beginning surely were touched by the strong vision and also bythe experiences of the other new senders.

What were some of the challenges you received by listening to the speakers and services?It was good that the missionary work challenge was made concrete in Cancun. Every national church and missions

department can evaluate how their input is compared with others. That helps to be realistic and concrete in actions, not justinspired.

It was great to have 60 countries represented in the congress. What are some of your expectations for the nextevent in Bangkok?I believe we can inspire many other countries, especially in Asia. The cooperation with PEM will surely help in this.

Tell us a bit about the upcoming meeting in Malaysia.We have, as the World Missions Commission of PWF, planned a manifold program for the Pentecostal World Conference atKuala Lumpur. It starts on August 26 with a World Missions Forum, which is open for all interested missions people.During the conference we have workshops every day. The program and registration are online at


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Tell us what you shared in your plenary session at the congress.My session was titled: The Commitment of the Sender. I shared the following:

Mirau = the water administrator (Mir= leader; au= water) from the Pashtu language in

Afghanistan. The living water is Christ, the salvation offered to mankind through his sacrifice(John 4:10,14).

In sharing Christ, we must be: Correct from a theological point of view. What do we distribute?

The name of Jesus is the only name whereby people can besaved (Acts 4:12).

Correct from a missiological point of view. Where do we distribute? To the rich and the poor.

To the honorable and to the sinners. To the near and to the far.

Correct from a kairological point of view. When do we distribute?

Kairos= the right time, opportunity. Now is the time! Now is thetime for Romania!

What was your overall impression of the congress?It was a success. I was impressed to see so many countries represented and so many leaders interested to find out moreabout missions and do more in the future to extend the Kingdom. The schedule was well-done and the sessions coveredmost areas that missions leaders needed.

What was one of the sessions or messages from others that impacted you as an attendee of the event?I appreciated Greg Mundiss message and also Mark Hausfields and Asa Kains workshops. Brads statistical presentationimpacted me also a lot and helped me as national missions leader to look for how we can improve in important and keyareas in the future.

What impact do you think the congress will have on the World Assemblies of God and its missions vision?Im sure some of the national leaders were impacted, and they will work more in the future to mobilize and better organizetheir national movements. That means in the future we will see more cross-cultural missionaries sent and supported bysmaller and poorer countries, especially toward unreached people groups and Muslim countries.

Interview With Gheorge RisanMissions Director, Romania

Risan and Woodwarth (interpreter)

Interview With Alan JohnsonAGWM Missionary to Thailand, Member of the WAGF Missions Commission

What was your impression of the congress?It was a great time for networking people and connecting and sharing both vision and methods.Getting that many people together who are all like-minded and heading together in the samedirections is very powerful.

What were some things God spoke to you about and challenges you took away from it?We must be intentional about making connections and seeking relationships with both AG

missions sending structures and workers. It is a joint effort and does not just rest with one country. Humility is required aswe build multinational teams.

Why would you recommend other leaders not miss Bangkok in 2015?The challenge of the particulars of Asia will be highlighted, and I think that will be invaluable for national leaders andmissions directors to come and gain vision, practical methods, and connections with others.


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Tesmonies From Aendees

It was refreshing and challenging, and we returned with adesire to make Costa Rica a missionary country. I was happywith the advances: 85.7 percent of our churches give to

missions, but we need to reach 100 percent. We need to keepfocusing on missions and give room to those that are called. Moneyis not a problem; vision is the problem. We have all the resources.We must advance in the participation, and I encourage us to usestatistics to help us realize our potential to do more.

Ricardo CastilloSuperintendent, AG Costa Rica

First of all, I want to thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to be in the congress in Cancun forone of the most valuable learning experiences of my life.

My family condition wasnt suitable for me to come because my father was seriously sick in the hospital,fighting for life. Yet my family supported me to come to the congress, for which I am thankful to them. I am alsothankful to Reverend Brad Walz for giving me the opportunity to attend.

Five important things that impressed me in the congress:

The vision and passion of the Latin American Assemblies of God for world evangelism impressed me the

most.

The organizational skill with which the congress was conducted by Reverend Brad Walz was really

commendable. It conveyed the message that such an event needs careful planning and support by effective

prayer to make the mission of the church effective and far-reaching.

Every session I attended conveyed the urgency of time. What needs to be done in missions needs to be done

urgently and effectively.

One of the ideas that kept coming out from the congress was that missions has to be a collective effort of the

whole church today. The idea of missions as a Western thing no longer holds.

Missions requires sacrifice, a fundamental principle brought out on the final day by the preacher.

The Cancun congress has revolutionized our thinking, and we cannot afford to waste any more time. The lost needto be reached sooner than we think.

Robert JeyarajDistrict Superintendent, Northern India, and Missions Director, India AG

I was blessed to attend the congress in Cancun. I found the meeting to be informative, relevant, forward-focused,challenging, and soul searching, to say the least. On my return I am determined to prioritize and encourage

friends, pastors, and congregations to pray, to give, and to go.... We must become senders; thats our mandate. I stronglybelieve the congress is a must for every leader, because it will compel you forward!

Alipate CakauFiji

God provided all ourparticipants expenses to goto the congress. We are new

at this, but we are putting into practiceevery one of the teachings. Every one ofus that participated are motivated for thisfirst and great experience of the Cancuncongress.

Juan Carlos TorresMissions Director, Belize AG


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Thank you for welcoming us in Cancun.We thank God for being able to attendthe third World Assemblies of God

Fellowship Missions Congress. It was a greatencouragement to meet coworkers who have thesame passion for missions in the world. It was also

strengthening that we could bring back ourexperiences of encouraging one another andpraying for missions together. We cannot make itjust by ourselves, but we truly hope that worldmissions will be advanced through our cooperationin mission.

Yoshihiko Fujimura

Director of Missions Division, Japan

Im a Costa Rican missionary working in Belize, and I was one of the thousand that traveled to Cancun,Mexico. This congress made an impact on missions in our country. Now all we talk about is doing missionsevents, youth missions events, intercession for missionsit is incredible the change. Last week we had our

annual pastors retreat, and they gave us the opportunity to talk of missions, and it had such impact that we wish to have anational missions congress for Belize. This is historic. Pray for Belize; there is much to do here.

William Logan

Belize

The meeting in Cancun was a greatblessing for me because I saw many activemissionaries. At this congress I saw the

sharpened motivation for the mission and heardtestimonies of real work in different directions. Myimpressions are very positive; a lot of things opened

for me. As we plant new churches and go to thenations, we decided to do it strenuously and also tostrenuously prepare our future missionaries.We expect from the new congress in Bangkok newcalls, signs, and information to fulfill the GreatCommission of our Lord.

Romualdas DombrauskasRussiaMissions Director, Belize A/G

I was very sick the first night upon my arrival, and I have not been sick like that for more then 15 years.That morning when I was supposed to go to the hospital, I realized I did not have an insurance card norenough dollars to pay. Pastor Hariagus Rimba was trying to help me by using his credit card and insurance

card, but he changed his mind and said, Lets pray first. So he and my wife prayed for me, and I went back to myhotel and slept. I was healed and did not go to the hospital at all. Praise the Lord!

More than that, the World Missions Congress really inspired me, and all the sessions I was able to attend put theflame in my heart for missions, especially to send missionaries overseas. I am very new in the position of foreignmissions director of the Indonesia AG, and one of my first significant dreams and programs is to see an IndonesiaAG Foreign Mission Congress conducted either in Indonesia or in one of the Asian countries.

The way God opened the door for that is that on my way home from Cancun, I stopped in Hong Kong to visit ourmissionaries there. When I shared the idea with them about this conference, they were really supportive and, Lordwilling, we would like to do this conference in Hong Kong next year in late January or early February.

For the congress in Bangkok, I really want to work hard to have as many as possible leaders from Indonesia attend(AG and non-AG) so they will see the vision I have of Indonesia AG sending more missionaries overseas.

Hendrik Soria

Missions Director, Indonesia


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The congress was a well balanced account of AG representation in world missions. The choice of thesubject matter and speakers was a clear indication that the Assemblies of God is seriously making inroadsinto being the number-one organization in global evangelism. The planning was of world quality, and I

therefore would like to commend the team for a job well done. There was also a deep biblical conviction for a call toaction from the continent of Africa, which is commonly labelled the sleeping giant. The conference caused a shiftin missions, enabling indigenous believers to reach others with a strategic and God-honoring priority. This was veryreal at the altar calls. I was more focused with the fire of the Holy Spirit to target unreached people groups, quantify,and prioritize so that our efforts may be allocated most effectively to speed the fulfilling of the Great Commission.The platform was set for the imperativeness of strategic partnerships in world evangelization within the AG family.The session on the digital revolution was most informative. I also was impressed by the commitment of our brotherswho ministered selflessly in the Arab world.

I left the conference convinced that our restricted, local thinking is insufficient for the global task. If Africa canembrace a missionary vision and draw from the resources and experience of the global players, we will have potentialfor exponential growth. I also left believing that Africa is an emerging mission force which will be recognized in thenext congress in 2015 in Bangkok. May God bless you and your team for their unflinching hard work.

Ralph PaulSouth Africa

My experience during the WorldMissions Congress was meaningfuland useful. It was amazing to see how

the Latin American churches are motivated anddetermined to do missions. The prayer time,worship, altar time, and messages delivered fromthe various speakers were all used by the HolySpirit to bring spiritual refreshment and a

challenge to move forward in fulfilling the GreatCommission despite any kind of adversity thatmay come along the road. The experience-sharing sessions and the afternoon workshopswere eye-openers to do missions in differentways and platforms in order to give insight forstrategic focus on specific needs around theworld.

Abiding in Jesus, being consumed with theperson of Jesus, and being determined both tolive and die for Jesus is the foundation to do

biblical missions successfully is one of themessages that was heard loud and clear duringthe congress. My flight was long and tiresome;however, attending the congress was worth everybit of it.

I encourage people to start praying and planningfor the next World Missions Congress.

Yonas ArefaineSuperintendent, Ethiopia AG

It was a time of great encouragement andchallenge to be a part of the WorldMissions Congress in Cancun. Hearing the

testimonies of those who are still willing to go andabandon it all for the sake of the call, reminds methat God's desire is to use His people to reach thosewho have never heard.

One thing that especially impacted me was the LiveDead team, who not only shared about their work, butalso modeled a multicultural team committed toreaching the Arab world, even at the cost of their lives.The challenge did not fall on deaf ears, because whengiven a chance, the altars were filled with scores ofpeople ready to commit their lives to respond to thecall. Those responding knew the potential dangerinvolved, and yet they still said yes. God is still calling,and people are still responding.

Our task is to bring that same challenge to our

national leaders and national missions departmentsnot only to remind them of the need worldwide, butto renew their efforts in making a way for those calledfrom their countries to get to the field prepared andfunded. The true impact of the congress begins wheneach participant returns to his or her home and putsinto practice what God spoke. May the results surpriseeach of us!

Jay DickersonCentral America Area Director, AGWM


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For me the World Missions Congress was very meaningful in different ways:1. The fraternal communion between brothers and sisters from so many nations; to see Asians, Africans,Latin Americans, Europeans, and North Americans in the same place, seeking the face of the Lord with onepurpose: that the nations know the Savior!

2. The special quality of speakers God put in the pulpit, with their experience and humility to share the message thatGod had given them. We were privileged to have them with us.

3. The variety of leaders from so many countries with whom we were able to interact, share opinions, stretchrelationships for the better of the work, and challenge ourselves together for what will come in the future(missionary candidates, projects, etc.).

May God bless richly all those that organized the event, and may other horizons of the planet have the same privilege in

the coming years. Tony PedrozoAfrica and Asia Regional Director, Argentina Missions Dept.

The WAGF Missions Congress was animpacting time as we connected with leadersfrom around the world to focus on the

remaining task of reaching the world for Christ. Sincethe conclusion of the congress we have continuedconversations with leaders regarding missionsopportunities. We also connected with the heart of Godthrough powerful testimonies, teaching, and preaching.The times of prayer at the altar following each servicewere moments of recommitting ourselves to theunfinished task. It was especially challenging to focus onthe unreached people groups of the world. As residentsof Latin America, we are excited about the possibilitiesto network with others in this region to pray and helpmobilize Latin American missionaries to reach the mostunreached of our world.

David EllisRegional Director-Elect, AGWM Latin

America and the Caribbean

For the Brazilians who participated, thethird World Missions Congress was agratifying experience. We could feel the

profound love of the missionaries and delegateswho participated with us, as well as the inspirationof each speaker. I could sense a very special spiritof communion among all who attended. For theoffice of the secretary of missions, we felt theenormous responsibility and urgency of the GreatCommission and, without doubt, it enlarged ourvision. We are sure that we are going to walktogether, joining our strengths in this last hour. Tohave the contacts of the missions presidents of allthe Americas and of African, Asian, European,and Oceania nations is important for us in ouractivities in Brazil.

Anisio NascimentoMissions Director, Brazil

The congress was an historic event. God brought a multiplicity of world leaders from 60 countries to hear thevoice of the Spirit crying out to this generation of Pentecostal believers to align themselves with the heart ofthe Father for the unreached and under-reached in this world. Particularly potent was the testimony of thosewho had captured the call and were engaged in dangerous or resistant fields out of a deep-felt conviction that

it was Gods time for total obedience. The cross-pollination of missions leaders that occurred contributed powerfully tothe participating nations owning the vision for world evangelism. This compelling time should not be missed.

Dale Coad

Caribbean Area Director, AGWM


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Check out WAGF online! hp://worldagfellowship.org/

WAGF missions page: hp://worldagfellowship org/missions/

Pentecostal World Fellowship CongressKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaAugust 2730, 2013Pentecostal European Missions ConsultaonBucharest, Romania

November 1316, 2013

14th Lan America Missions Consultaons

(MEC)Sanago, ChileMarch 31April 4, 2014Africa WMC Missions ConsultaonNairobi, KenyaApril 2324, 2014WAGF World Congress

Springeld, Missouri, U.S.A.

August 710, 2014

Southern Asia Missions ConsultaonMumbai, India

October 610, 2014WAGF WorldMissions CongressBangkok, ThailandFebruary 26, 2015San Jose 2015

A Consultaon on the Naonal Church and

Unreached PeoplesSan Jose, Costa RicaApril 1317, 2015Lan America Missions Leaders SummitSan Jose, Costa RicaApril 2024, 2015

Events Calendar
http://worldagfellowship.org/http://worldagfellowship.org/missions/http://worldagfellowship.org/missions/http://worldagfellowship.org/missions/http://worldagfellowship.org/

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